Jo Ann Starnes Wells

Jo Ann Whitaker Starnes Wells, 81, of Morehead formerly of Richmond, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at her home.

She was born on June 12, 1935 in Madison County, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Garnett Whitaker and Lucille Turner Whitaker Malear.

Mrs. Wells had been an insurance agent for Boyd Starnes Insurance Agency, a Bellsouth telephone operator having worked during the period when phones were changed from operator assisted calls to rotary service. She had also worked as a receptionist and greeter for the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead.

Jo Ann was a member of the White Oak Pond Christian Church and she enjoyed reading, gardening, golf and spending time with her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Boyd Starnes in 1975 and Randall C. Wells in 2000.

Survivors include two daughters, Peggy (Ray) Wardlaw of Crawford, Colorado and Dana Starnes of Morehead, four grandchildren, Shawn (Tina) Cruse, Angie (Brett) Tinch, Brian (Heather) Barger and Randi Barger, five great-grandchildren, Gabe Cruse, Garner Cruse, Zoe Tinch, Noah Tinch and Charlie Barger, four step-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren and one step-great-great-grandchild.

Memorial services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the White Oak Pond Christian Church, 1238 Barnes Mill Road, Richmond, with Rev. Chad Snellgrove

Contributions are suggested to CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093 or at psp.org.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead is caring for all arrangements.